End-of-Semester Concert at the Glocke – A Focus on Nature

On Sunday, January 28, 2024, the traditional end-of-semester concert of the University of Bremen orchestra and choir will take place. Starting at 5 p.m. in the Bremen Glocke under the title "Behold, the Sea itself!," pieces by the English composer Vaughan Williams will be performed.

At this closing concert, the orchestra and choir of the University of Bremen will embark on a musical journey into nature. With a repertoire dedicated to the English composer Vaughan Williams, the concert will begin with "The Lark Ascending," a romance for violin and orchestra, in which the violinist Pilar Policano will perform as soloist.

First-Class International Soloists

Policano, the Argentinian violinist who now lives in Vienna, has already been awarded the Grand Prix at the V. Yankelevitch International Violin Competition and first prize at the "Nouvelles Etoiles Paris 2022" – all before she turned 16 this year. Among other qualities, she is praised for her tremendous musicality, maturity, and natural talent. She will be making her debut in Germany at the end-of-semester concert at the Glocke.

The evening will continue with Vaughan Williams' impressive 1st symphony "A Sea Symphony," written for choir and orchestra and inspired by texts by Walt Whitman. The extremely demanding piece is one of the most underrated compositions of the 20th century and was arranged in 1910 before the First World War. The choral symphony with Whitman's texts, taken from the collection "Leaves of Grass," sends a message of peace and appeals to the unity of humankind.

For the symphony's performance, the university's orchestra and choir, with its over 200 members, will be joined on stage by international soloists, including the Italian coloratura soprano Karola Pavone and the Canadian baritone David Pike.

Conductor Mariano Chiacchiarini is looking forward to the concert: "Everyone is really excited about it. It makes us particularly proud to be able to play this music because as it has such a strong message in very conflict-ridden times in the world, and with all these young musicians who bring so much energy and passion. Vaughan Williams and Walt Whitman clearly had the vision that we are a very small part of something much bigger."

Insight into Deep Sea Research at the University of Bremen

In keeping with the "Sea Symphony," MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen – is also offering an insight into deep-sea research in Bremen with a presentation in the Glocke foyer. The choir and the orchestra are delighted to welcome MARUM, one of the most renowned institutions for maritime studies in Europe, as their guest.